We wrapped up the class by practicing what we learned: we joined others at PATH( People Assisting The Homeless) and practiced our fruit-chopping, our sausage-frying, and our pancake-flipping. It was such a joy to relax with those we served and to hear thanks for our time and food – which seemed like such a tiny gift in light of their challenges.
Everyone came to the group with an open heart, even when we arrived with our own ideas. We were there to learn, and we left with our spirits sated.
Jan Gonder is a retired high-school teacher of English, ESL, and French. She has been a member of Westwood UMC since 1982.
Another Spiritual Practices class is planned for four Tuesday evenings this summer: August 6, 13, 20 & 27. To learn more, contact the church office.
the psALM of LAMent By Nancy S. Price
Help me, O God, For my future is gone. Darkness clouds my vision; Fear grows in my heart; Doubt overwhelms my thoughts.
The steep path narrows, winding sharply. I stumble over sharp rocks, Brambles assail my skin; Boulders obstruct my sight. I cannot find my way.
But you, O God, are with me always. Your angels strengthen me on my journey And protect me from loneliness. You direct my steps in the dark; And guide those whose skills will restore me.
I will praise You, O God. I will sing to you in the dark times And praise you in the light, For you do not forsake me. You answer my prayers.
ThE organ: an aPPrEciaTion by Gregory Norton
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Some years ago I was invited to introduce a panel discussion among organists about the organ’ s place in liturgy and the arts. The event took place at First Congregational Church in Los Angeles and the publicity for it posed some provocative questions: What is it that enables the organ to make such a powerful impact? Why does it remain such an integral part of worship services, even in the face of other technologies? In those questions one can hear several assumptions being made, and they are assumptions that I share. I believe that the organ does“ make a powerful impact,” and that in many communities of faith today it is an“ integral part of worship.” The organ’ s music is, for me, the sound of sacred space. I make that association because worship in which the organ plays a prominent role was a part of my earliest religious experiences. It later became‘ my instrument,’ and playing it has nurtured me along a path of lifelong service in the church. But not everyone has had that same experience.
It is not theologically defensible to say that God only hears organ music, or that authentic worship is impossible without it. After all, instrumental music of all kinds has been suspect at various moments in Christian history. The emergence of the organ’ s role in worship began only about the sixteenth century or so. Certainly we can worship God without any musical instruments beyond the human voice. I believe we can also“ let every instrument be tuned for praise,” to quote Fred Pratt Green’ s great hymn.
The most important musical moments in any liturgy are when the assembly of believers lifts its collective voice in praise. The impulse and mandate to do so trace their roots to the first pages of scripture. Whenever it happens, community is formed as we sing together. No other instrument affords a single musician the ability to lead the singing of a large group of people as does the organ. To be sure, the organ is effectively used in a number of other ways too, but these functions are secondary. The organ’ s connection to congregational song is at the heart of its“ powerful impact” in the liturgy.
As a solo performance medium, the organ is the most colorful and varied instrument ever conceived. A large organ, such as the Shaffer Memorial Organ at Westwood, possesses a variety of voices and effects that exceeds even that of a large symphony orchestra. The organ’ s palette of sounds has inspired composers for centuries, resulting in a vast repertoire of music from every era of Western art for use in the Church and beyond its walls. In Westwood we celebrate that legacy each summer by presenting the organ as a concert instrument. In doing so we showcase its life beyond supporting worship.
Nothing guarantees that the organ will have anything to do with the Church’ s life a generation from now. But the organ has advocates – musicians who each week faithfully seek creative, meaningful ways to link the organ’ s role in worship with the deepening faith of the people. Wherever that happens, I believe the organ’ s music remains relevant and alive, beloved and appreciated; the very sound of sacred space.
Gregory Norton is Westwood’ s Minister of Music & Communications. greg @ westwoodumc. org